Hello Everyone! I hope everyone is doing well, given the current state of things. I've been tackling this chapter as I can. I'm hoping to have the completed 2nd half of this chapter up by this weekend; don't hold me to that, though. Be safe everyone!

"Fire!" a poacher yells as he fires another bolo chain from the hand cannon. The weighted chain snare flies through the air and collides with the target, the bolo snagging a flailing appendage, followed by several more bolos from his companions that have encircled their target. The band of Monster Girl hunters have been tracking this particular beast for almost a weak now. Despite her oppressive stature she was managing to elude them until about an hour ago when they stumbled upon the cave she was living in; now, sixteen armed men versus one very large and very pissed off minotaur. And right now, it is anyone's fight.

The minotaur bellows as her limbs are captured by the chains, each chain leading to a group of men heaving on the other end in attempts to bring her down. She jerks her arms, swinging her horned head back and forth as she exerts effort to jerk herself free. Just when she manages to gain some slack on one of her arms, the group pulling at the chain on her leg gives a collective lurch that brings her to a kneeling position.

"Almost there," breathes the leader of the group, a gruff, scar-faced man by the name of Samuel. He has been in the Monster Girl poaching business for several years, earning himself quite the reputation as a scoundrel and a bandit. Grinning to himself as the thought of their payoff for the minotaur plays through his mind, he brings another loaded hand cannon to his shoulder, aiming for her head. He fires, sending the bolo directly between her horns so that weighted chains become tangled around the large, curled protrusions.

"Heave!" Samuel calls to his men, seizing the chain he just fired, two other men following suit, and jerking the chain backwards. Each team hauls their chain backwards, forcing the minotaur ton lie on her stomach, her single free leg still stamping at the dirt in protest as her limbs are extended. Samuel laughs triumphantly, seeing the large Monster Girl incapacitated. All they have to do now is toss the sleeping tonic into her face and let the fumes work their magic. Then, all they have to do is load her on the cart and keep her asleep until they reach the nearest market. It'll take a few days, but this isn't the first time he's transported a Monster Girl that for. Just as Samuel turns to one of the men behind him, he becomes aware of a thudding sound. There is a rhythm to it, like horse hooves beating against the dirt.

He then looks in the direction of the sound, seeing a massive horse bounding towards them. The horse is possibly the biggest he has ever seen, its shoulders standing as tall as his head. He also does not miss the chainmail that is wrapped around the horse's chest as it enters the clearing. Only then does Samuel notice the rider: a knight, a large man to suit the massive stead, covered head to toe in heavy plate armor, and in his right hand is a large halberd. The horse rears as it enters fully into the clearing, crying out at the sight of the captured minotaur. Samuel lets go of his chain absentmindedly as he stares at the armored rider, fear gripping at his heart. He had run into the Iron Legion's knights in the past, managing to get away with varying degrees of success, but among them were a class that he fear most of all: the lawbringers. Men encased in iron and steel, they were unrelenting and whenever he had faced one in the past, he would only escape them by the skin of his teeth. Now, there is one dismounting his horse right in front of Samuel.

The lawbringer hops to the ground with clang, using his halberd to keep him upright. His visor is already in Samuel's direction. The head of the halberd lowers to point at Samuel, and he can feel the color drain from his face.

"What is the meaning of this?" An echoed but clearly audible voice demands from under the lawbringer's helmet. Samuel cannot answer for a moment, his tongue twisting against him.

"Th-this beast has been terrorizing the countryside, s-sire. We are a group of traveling mercenaries, some locals ponied up for us to help them out," Samuel stutters as his men still struggle to control the minotaur. The lawbringer raises his halberd so that he can stand it up. He looks to the minotaur who is snorting and growling as she thrashes about, trying to free herself. The lawbringer then looks at each of the teams trying to keep their hold on her before his helmet goes back to Samuel.

"You are lying," he says. "There are no farms in this area for miles. You are poachers, I assume. And as I think about it, you look very much like a wanted poster I saw some time ago. Samuel Reacher, I believe was the name." Samuel's blood runs cold as the lawbringer spouts the truth. He quickly turns to his men.

"Kill the bastard!" Samuel calls. The two men standing behind him look at him for a moment and then drop the chain, drawing their weapons and approaching the lawbringer as Samuel lets them take point. The first poacher to reach him draws a crude mace and swings for the lawbringer's helmet. To the poacher's surprise, the lawbringer catches his wrist and twists it sideways, snapping it with ease. The poacher cries out as the lawbringer slams the side of the halberd's head into the poacher's temple, his screaming silenced before the knight steps towards the next attacker.

The new offender pulls a hand ax from his belt, intending to chop at the openings the heavy armor. Just as he gets close enough, the lawbringer kicks the poacher in the shin, driving him to his knees. He cries out, looking up from the pain just in time to see the spiked pommel of the lawbringer's halberd slam down between his eyes. At this time, the other poachers begin to abandon their chains as they charge towards the heavily armored knight. Each one armed with crude and badly kept weapons, the poachers attack the lawbringer to no avail. Each one is met with a grisly death as the lawbringer overpowers them before cutting them down. One poacher manages to land a hit across the lawbringer's breastplate with a rusty sword. With a loud ching, the sword blade shatters like glass. The poacher looks down at the sad remains of his sword as the lawbringer slams the shaft of his halberd into the poacher's face. He gasps, clutching at his face as the knight then slams the pommel down on the back of the poacher's head, sending him to the ground before the lawbringer raises the halberd again to decapitate him.

The lawbringer jerks the halberd free before surveying the clearing of dead bodies. The minotaur is in a kneeling position where she was being restrained, watching the lawbringer with suspicious eyes. Ignoring her, he looks for Samuel, only to find that he is nowhere to be seen. As if on que, he hears what sounds like a twig snap several feet away. Just at the edge of the clearing sits a large, jagged stump and the lawbringer notices what looks like something moving just on the other side of it.

Just as the lawbringer believes, Samuel is cowering behind the stump, waiting for any more sounds of combat before he makes a break for it. Why is this happening to me? Why? Samuel thinks to himself as a chill rushes down his spine. To his horror, a metal clad hand appears and clasps him around the face. The lawbringer jerks him up from behind the stump and throws him back into the clearing. Samuel stumbles in the dirt, pushing himself back to his feet as he bolts towards the tree line. His foot catches on one of the corpses littering the clearing, causing him to collapse into the mass of bodies. He tries to push himself up as he looks back, seeing the mass of metal stepping towards him, the lawbringer's armor ringing with each step. Samuel starts to claw at the earth as he begins to panic, his feet slipping on the bloody ground and bodies. Just when he is sure he is going to die, his hand scrapes against something smooth and cool to the touch.

Samuel looks down to see the bright green glass of a bottle of sleeping drought, a plan igniting in his mind. Samuel grasps the bottle, doubling over as he slowly pushes himself up to his knees. "Please, sire, I'll repent," Samuel beings. "I'll leave this wicked life behind. I'll find honest work! I seek the Gods! Just let me live, sire! Have mercy, you sorry fuck-AHH!" Samuel's last word is punctuated by his attempt to smash the bottle over the lawbringer's helmet. Unfortunately, when he whips around with the bottle, his hand is met with the lawbringer's halberd, his hand being split into the wrist on the ax blade, the bottle shattering in bisected hand. Samuel's mouth hangs open as he looks at his mutilated hand that is now dripping with sleep drought. He then looks up at the lawbringer. Shaking his head, the lawbringer jerks backward on the halberd, the blade pulling Samuel with it as the spear tip is then driven into Samuel's throat. The lawbringer places a steel-plated boot into Samuel's hip before shoving him back. He gargles and coughs blood for a moment before he goes quiet and still.

The lawbringer takes one more look around the clearing and gives a curt nod, satisfied with his work. He goes back to his horse and begins to mount it. "Wait." The lawbringer stops and turns to see the minotaur approaching him, the bolos now free from her limbs and horns. His grip tights on the halberd for a moment, but relaxes as he notices the slow, peaceful gate she makes as she closes the distance between them. She is an attractive Monster Girl: caramel skin, short auburn hair, a pair of lavender eyes, and she is only an inch or so taller than him as well. She sports a large set of breasts contained in simply cloth wrap, a well-muscled body and wide hips outfitted in a loincloth of the same material as her top. "You fight good," she says simply, her eyes trailing him up and down.

"Thank you," he says, noticing the stirred look in her eyes and the way she starts to shift back and forth on her hooves.

"Do you fuck good, too?" she asks, her voice dripping sultrily.

"I have not received complaints." The minotaur bites her lip as she stares at the helmet. She reaches for it slowly, wanting to see the face of her savior. He realizes this and reaches up for it himself, her hand pulling back quickly. When the helmet is removed, she is met with a mature, chiseled face with a dark beard and green eyes. His hair has been shaved to the scalp, showing a few scars from past battles on his forehead. The minotaur's sultry look only seems to be intensified.

"What is your name?" The minotaur asks. The lawbringer stares at her for a moment before answering.

"Gregory of Lescatie, lawbringer for the Iron Legion of Ashfeld. And you are?"

"Rexa," she says. Gregory nods, waiting to see how far she takes it. "I want you," she says and Gregory nods.

"Very well," he hums. He plants the halberd into the ground before reaching for the straps of his groin cover. When he releases it, he hears her take in an audible breath. Aside from being blessed with an inhuman stature of six foot nine and being considered stronger than most men, Gregory was also blessed with large member that can reach up to twelve inches. It has served him well in sating Monster Girl's, as well as his occasional flings; though, some women are more intimidated by it. Rexa, however, seems elated as she licks her lips, kneeling down so that she can take his erection into her hand.

"I don't normally do this for men," she says, her callused hand sliding along his shaft. "But I owe you." She says nothing else as she takes the tip of his rod into her mouth. Gregory moans deeply in his throat as her lips take in almost half his length. Gregory enjoys the sensation, as it is a rarity for him. Most girls, even Monster Girls, have a hard time performing oral sex with him, given his size. Most can only take his tip or a few inches more. He can still get off with just that, but it is an occasion to him when a girl can perform this much for him.

Rexa begins to intensify her play, sucking harder as one hand strokes his shaft roughly as the other gropes his sac. Gregory does not mind the harsh treatment as he is often the one giving it. He places his hands on his sides, fighting the urge to put his hands on her head and force himself down her throat. It does not take much longer before she forces him over the edge. He growls as he fills her mouth with his seed, Rexa moaning softly as she continues to stroke him, wringing out the last few spurts. Gregory groans as euphoria washes over him, leaving him breathless and satisfied. Rexa releases him, swallowing as she stands up, her eyes hazy as she stares at Gregory.

"I hope you enjoyed it," she says almost shyly. Gregory nods, his breathing heavy. "If you'd like some more," Rexa begins as she slides the hem of her top down to expose her dark-chocolate nipples. "Then you can follow me back to my cave. I promise I'll let you leave afterwards. If you want to, that is."

Gregory cannot help but stare at the delicious sight for her breasts. While he is on a mission from the Grandmaster herself, Gregory doesn't see how taking a break from his long day of riding could hurt.

Four days later…

"Oh Gods! Its. So. Big. Ah!" the bar hostess cries as Gregory slides as much of his erection into her as he can in slow but firm strokes. After spending the night with the minotaur, and managing to leave, Gregory set out for another three days' worth of riding towards the base of Mount Ignis, the largest volcano in all of Ashfeld. The large trading town of Dawnspur has given reports of a pack of Monster Girls attacking the smaller communities on the town's outskirts, kidnapping men and destroying property in frequent and irregular attacks. Gregory was issued the mission personally from Grandmaster Demour herself and he made haste, within reason of course.

After reaching the town and contacting the mayor, he learned that over fifteen men have been abducted in the last two weeks, ranging from their late teens to early thirties. It is unclear as to how many Monster Girls are involved, but the mayor did say they were some form of beastmen, the Monsters having catlike features; though, they were much to savage and destructive to be normal were-cats. Gregory agreed, were-cats are known to be more solitary creatures, and, as the reports say, they are not known to use weapons. After a long discussion, Gregory left the mayor's house to find his own lodging. The mayor had set him up in one of the best inns in Dawnspur. After making himself a home and treating himself to a drink, it did not take long for the hostess to make a move on him. She is a voluptuous woman, soft curves, blonde hair, amber eyes; she is much shorter that Gregory, her head only coming to his waist and what she lacks in chest she makes up for in a round, supple ass. Which he is currently enjoying as he takes her from behind, the hostess gripping the sheets of his bed tightly as he pulls her back onto his member. Within another moment, his climax finally mounts as he slides himself as deep as she can take him, her body squeezing around him to the point of pain as he releases inside her.

He pulls out of her, his seed dripping from her sex, his head swimming from pleasure. He sits down beside her, listening to her labored breathing as she lovers her backside to the bed so that she is laying flat. "You…fuck…like…a god," she breathes. He gives a quiet heh to himself at her compliment. It is not the first time he has been in this situation: a completely spent girl laying in his bed, dripping with his seed as he lays beside her, not truly satisfied. In the hostess' defense, she was more than adequate in terms of bedroom skill. It is just that he is too much for her or most women. It does not take him long to work a woman over to the point of blacking out, given his size and strength. He is happy to be able to please women, but it leaves him disappointed when a woman cannot match him. He has laid many woman over the years, even some of the strongest and wildest of Monster Girls. Yet, none of them have been able to fully satisfy him.

Gregory looks to the hostess again, unsurprised when he finds her asleep. He smiles sadly at her before covering her and himself with the bedsheets. He should take some time to research any potential leads for the Monster Girls attacking the town, but there would be time for that in the morning.

The next morning…

Gregory arches a brow as he stands outside what he believes to be the strangest building he has ever seen. The previous day, the mayor of Dawnspur had given him the address of a local mage who he thought would be of some assistance. After waking up, taking a bath, and seeing that the bar hostess was not too broke from the night before, Gregory set off to the building where he now stands, still staring at the strange structure.

It appears to be a circular tower on the west side of town, four stories tall, and made of white brick. Shaking his head, Gregory steps up to the single door of the tower and knocks loudly. He waits a moment without an answer, then knocks again. He waits another moment and there is a light, click before the door slowly swings open on its own. Gregory arches a brow at this, the door opening into a darkly lit room. Wishing he had wore his armor and came armed with more than his dagger, he steps inside. As soon as he is through the archway, the swings shut behind him. He waits a moment for his eyes to readjust before the interior becomes perceptible.

All around him are stacks of books, some rising over Gregory's head and seem to take up the majority of the interior of the first floor. Some of the stacks are topped with multiple, dripping candles. Above him, he can make out the crisscross of rafters and light shining from a circular hole in the ceiling but cannot seem to locate any stairs.

"Hello!" Gregory calls, hoping that someone will answer.

"Yes?" Gregory spins around as the room is filled with an echoed, feminine voice, looking for its source. He makes a full circle before he is sure that he is the only person in the room.

"My name is Gregory of Lescatie," he says to the empty room. "I'm a lawbringer from the Iron Legion. I've been sent to investigate the recent attacks and abductions. The mayor said I would find a mage here that could help."

"Oh," says the voice. "Well, that is interesting." Gregory arches a brow at the voice.

"Could you show yourself? I have no time for ga-AH! WAHHHH!" Gregory calls as he is suddenly flipped off his feet and then suddenly pulled upwards by his ankles. He swings his arms around, grasping for any form of hand hold. When he finally stops rising, all he can do is look down into the dimly lit sections of the tower below.

"Is this better?" Gregory looks straight ahead to find the source of the voice staring back at him with three pairs of dark magenta eyes. "My name is Agape Nephila. Nice to meet you." She says with an amused smile. Agape is a beautiful woman if Gregory had ever seen one: dark, shoulder length hair, lightly tanned skin, a healthy chest that is complimented in a black corset and a low cut shirt. The only possibly off-putting part of her would be the multiple eyes and the eight long legs of her lower, spider-like abdomen. Gregory certainly is not enjoying watching her lounge in an assortment of thickly woven sheets of webbing while he hangs upside down four stories in the air by some unforeseen force.

"Um…nice to meet you, Ms. Nephila. Would it be possible for you to…" Gregory starts, his eyes drifting back down to the darkness below him. Her smile goes wider, as if she is surprising a laugh.

"Oh. My apologies," she says as she flicks one of her hands. Gregory lets out another yelp as he is spun around so that he is in a sitting position, still suspended over the four story drop. "Is this better?" Gregory decides to cut his losses and accept the situation, lest it fall through.

"Y-yes. That will do. Thank you." He says, relying on mental fortitude to not look down. She smiles at him again.

"So, a knight of the Iron Legion come to save our little town. And you call on me for help. I am flattered," She says, flipping a page in the book she is apparently reading as it floats in front of her.

"Yes, well…I hope we can come to some arrangement. The mayor said you would be very helpful in this investigation." She chuckles at him.

"Yes, well, I doubt it is as much of an investigation as you believe it to be," she says, flipping another page of her book.

"What makes you say that?" She raises one of her hands without answering him and then twirls one of her fingers in the air. Suddenly, an object floats into view.

"Do you recognize this?" She asks, looking at him with a brow raised. Gregory reaches out and takes the object. From what he can tell, it is a wooden shield with a menacing looking face carved into it. He can tell it is finely made and kept in good condition, no doubt belonging to a fine warrior. Though, he has never seen a shield like it before. It is not Elven, as their shields often feature ornate and beautiful carvings, unlike the one in his hands.

"I do not. I'm guessing this was left behind by one of the Monster girls?" Her smile quirks up a bit.

"A shame. I thought the Iron Legion would teach their knights more. But I won't hold that against you. Truthfully, these particular Monster Girl's shouldn't even be in Ashfeld," she says. "They are a race of beastmen known as Ocelomeh, a form of were-cat from the jungles of the deep south. They are vicious and have a deep enjoyment for kidnapping and raping men." Gregory arches a brow as he continues to examine the shield.

"Any reason why they have moved this far north?" The arachne ignores his question for another moment as she finishes another page of her book and flips it.

"Could be several reasons. Perhaps food was scarce, maybe a shortage of men, they may have just wanted a change of scenery. In truth, the reason they are in Ashfeld isn't interesting to me," she says, finally snapping her book shut. "I want to know what their plans are now that they are here." Gregory raises at brow at her.

"So, protecting the town doesn't interest you?" Gregory asks. Her playful smile fades as she gives him a triple eye roll.

"If protecting the town wasn't important to me, I wouldn't have helped the local guards drive them back. How else do you think I got that shield?" Gregory had not expected her response.

"I did not realize you could fight, I apologize," Gregory says and Agape narrows her eyes at him.

"For someone asking for my help and in your current position, I would suggest you watch what you say, Mr. Gregory. You might find your chances won't drop so suddenly if you do." She says threateningly. Gregory casts his eyes down to the darkness below, a chill going up his spine.

"Noted. So, Ms. Nephila, what can I offer you in exchange for your assistance?" Agape's playful grin returns to her face as the conversations goes her way.

"I require three things in total. First, I wish to accompany you when confront the ocelomeh tribe. I want to gather information on them. Second, I will expect to receive a monetary reward for my assistance in this matter. The mayor knows my price in these matters so that should be no issue. The third, though…" Agape tails off, her face starting to glow with color.

"Yes?" Gregory asks. Agape gives a quiet chuckle, her facing glowing brighter.

"The mayor's son is someone I have had my eye on for some time; though, the mayor has forbidden us to go anywhere near each other. I would like that rule rebuked." Gregory stops himself from groaning, not wanting to offend. If there was one thing he had learned from dealing with noblemen, it was to never get involved in their personal affairs.

"Um…would it be possibly to find someone else for you to spend time with? I would volunteer my company, if it would please you." Agape's eyes widen, her grin turning into a full smile. She pulls herself up from her webbing, her legs reaching forward to pull her closer to him on invisible foot holds. He does not move as she examines him, placing her hand on his chest, feeling the hardened body underneath. She slides her chitin covered hand down to his stomach and then lower, groping his length through his trousers. He notices her eyes widen as she touches his member as well as the way she visibly shudders when it twitches through the fabric. She steps back from him, her face plain with her arousal.

"You are tempting…Very tempting…" Gregory is almost sure she will start stripping in front of him as her words trail off, her eyes still fixated on his body. However, she shakes her head, forcing her eyes back up to look him in the face. "But my price is fixed." Gregory cannot help but feel somewhat disappointed. He is not used to being turned down by women, human or otherwise. "Don't take my rejection to heart. I have no doubt you'd be lay to write about." Her eyes flick back down between his legs as she says that. "But the mayor's son is precious to me. The mayor knew we had been together romantically and did not wish for his only child to be seduced by a Monster Girl. I want my love returned to me." Guilt racks Gregory's conscience.

"Very well," he says quickly. "I will see to it that the mayor adheres. So, would you mind floating me down to ground level, please."

"Floating you?" Agape asks.

"Yes?" Gregory asks. Agape bursts out laughing as she realizes his confusion.

"Oh, Mr. Gregory. I'm not using magic to keep you in the air. I'm using my threads." Gregory's mind goes completely blank for a full minute, the color draining from his face. He slowly raises one of his arms till he feels one of the thin, practically invisible threads that have been suspending him four stories into the air.

"Ah…" he whispers as he remembers his training, forcing himself not to scream as the arachne continues to giggle at him.

The next day…

The mayor of Dawnspur was not happy with Agape's response. The money would have been reasonable in his eyes, but the demand to resume seeing his son was too much for the old man to handle. However, after almost an hour of angry swearing and waves of foul insults directed to the arachne in question, he relented and sent her a message that same afternoon. That night, Gregory did not take a woman as he cleaned his armor and sharpened his halberd. He also went through his supplies, making sure he had everything he would need to kill or sate a tribe of ocelomeh. He had gathered enough holy totems and purifying candies to last and, for a last resort, he had been granted an item from the Grandmaster herself: the blade of St. Romulus. The blade is a short dagger with an ornately carved hilt and sheath, giving it the appearance of a decorative Order cross. It is said that any Monster Girl stabbed with the blade will be flooded with purifying energy. However, it takes three-day-long ritual in order to replenish the blade's power, so it is not meant to be wasted on just any Monster Girl.

When morning comes, Gregory is already in his armor, loading his horse's saddle bags outside the inn. Seemingly out of nowhere, Gregory looks up to see a black, gilded carriage pull up in front of the inn. The carriage itself does not surprise him, but the fact that it has no driver or even a horse pulling it makes him uneasy. Though, he calms down as the wide door opens to reveal Agape sitting inside. She steps out, her legs carrying her down gracefully despite her size. She is dressed in a black tunic and matching quarter cloak. She is also wearing a pair of black leggings on her palps. Except for the chitin covering her arms and her multiple eyes, she appears to be a normal woman perched atop a giant spider mount.

"Good morning, Mr. Gregory," she says as she approaches him. "I hope you have prepared for the encounter. The ocelomeh are not meant to be taken lightly."

"I'm prepared. I stocked up on purifying items after I left your house." Gregory indicates the saddle bags with a tap from his gauntlet. Agape nods with a satisfied smile. Gregory's eyes then dart towards the carriage suspiciously.

"So…what's with the carriage?"

"What do you mean?" Agape asks with a brow raised.

"It doesn't have a horse, or a driver. Are you actually using magic to drive it or…?" Gregory's question is interrupted by Agape's laughter. The arachne waves a hand in front of her face as she calms down.

"You'll never forgive me for that, will you?" Agape asks haughtily and Gregory glares at her from beneath his helmet. "The carriage is driven by my familiar, Emeline. Emeline, come!" At Agape's command, a cloud of black smoke whisks itself away from the carriage to collect between Gregory and Agape. The cloud swirls and pulses, the smoke becoming tangible as it takes on the form a young woman in a black Lolita dress. Her hair is snowy white with lavender eyes and dark caramel skin. The only inhuman traits being the pointed, cat like ears on her head and the slender tail swaying behind her. Agape gives the familiar a light pat on the head and she smiles at the affection. "Emeline, this is Gregory. We'll be helping him deal with some Monster Girl's that have been hurting people lately."

Emeline curtsied to Gregory and he nodded in return. "It is nice to meet you, Gregory," says the familiar, her voice soft and sweet. Gregory has to admit that she is attractive. She is on the short side, only coming to Gregory's stomach, but she has a look in her eyes that hints of a sultry nature. He can tell that she has a sizable, bouncy chest and he can tell that her rear is round and supple from the way she lightly sways her hips while looking at him. Gregory does not particularly go for smaller women, being they cannot handle his size, but the familiar does not seem to be threatened as she gives him a once over.

"Now then," chimes Agape. "Let us be off. I believe I already know where the ocelomeh have settled so we shall ride for as long as we can. Emeline, if you please." The familiar nods to her master before giving Gregory another curtsy. Her body evaporates into smoke again before flying towards the carriage and disappearing, the doors of the carriage flying open on their own. "Let us be off," Agape says as she enters the carriage. Gregory goes to his horse and mounts, following the carriage as it leads him to the gate leaving town.

The townspeople had gathered by the gate, waving and cheering as Gregory and the horseless carriage passed through. Gregory's horse is at a full gallop as the carriage speeds along in front of him. They continue at this pace over the next hill when he hears Agape yell out of the carriage window, "Slow down!" Gregory jerks back on the reins, making his horse cry out at the sudden halt. Gregory then scowls as the carriage continues on, making him have to speed up again to bring his horse along side the carriage.

"What was that for?" Gregory asks irritably. Agape giggles at him from the carriage window.

"We have a full day's ride till we get there. But I thought the town would have liked a dramatic send off."

"Perhaps, though it would have been appreciated had I known that sooner," Gregory growls and she laughs at him again. Gregory rides along side the carriage for what seems like an eternity, the sun arching high over them. In that time, Gregory learns as much as he can about the ocelomeh. Agape explains how they are vicious warriors who take men as their husbands by force. However, unlike most Monster Girl's, ocelomeh have been known to take multiple husbands and occasionally wives as slaves. By their tradition, ocelomeh do not openly show affection to their spouses, reserving such treatment for privacy. She also explains that, like most warrior-like Monster Girls, they will only submit to a single husband should they be defeated in both combat and sex; though, their beliefs on affection and other matters will not change.

Finally, after hours of riding, the carriage stops along a calm river that flows down into a distant valley. Agape emerges from the carriage, her six eyes scanning the tree line of the valley before pointing towards something in the distance. "See there?" she asks, and Gregory looks out and can just make out the remanence of what appears to be pillars of smoke. "That is most likely their camp. We should stop here for the night." Gregory nods, looking up to the sky to see the sun almost kissing the horizon. "Emeline!" Agape calls and the feline familiar appears from a cloud of smoke.

"Yes, mistress," the familiar purrs, her ears twitching in expectation.

"I want you to scout the area around the carriage for any signs of other Mamono. I would rather not have to go chasing them off when they catch Gregory's scent," Agape says and Emeline curtsey's before disappearing again. The next hour is spent as Gregory constructs his own tent as Agape begins setting a perimeter with her nearly invisible webbing. After his tent is finally pitched, he removes his armor, leaving him in a light gambeson. As Agape continued to weave her webs, Gregory approached the riverbank, intending to refill his waterskins. The river's surface is clear and clean, and he does not think twice before kneeling down to submerge the skin.

Just as he sinks his hand beneath the water, he feels something wrap around his wrist. Suddenly, something bursts out of the water, soaking him as it wraps its arms around him and jerks him forward. He submerges, only able to make out the pale color of the creatures hide. Though, he does not miss the sensation of two large, soft mounds pressing against his chest. Gregory struggles against the creature's hold as it carries him through the water, managing to get one arm free as his lungs scream for release. Suddenly, he feels a strong, upward jerk and is pulled out of the water, the creature still clinging to him. He gasps as he tastes fresh air again. Looking down, he is able to make out features of the creature now.

A soft face surrounded by tuffs of white hair and fur. Her skin is a light purple color, her eyes a glowing amber against dark sclera; the Monster Girl's face contorted in surprise as she tangles in the air with him. He is also able to take note of the strange, tribal mask around her neck that resembles a bird. Out of the corner of his eye, he notices movement and turns to see Agape leap into the air, the front pairs of her legs stretching towards Gregory's attacker. In a spectacle of high speed acrobatics that Gregory had never seen from an arachne before, Agape leaps onto the attacking Monster Girl's body and begins to ensnare her in thread. By the time she is done, the Monster Girl is jerked away from Gregory and laying at Agape's feet, her long, snake like lower body coiled and bound together, her arms tied behind her back, her upper body ensnared in a checkered pattern of thread that draws quite a bit of attention to her breasts, and a thick strip of weaved thread over her mouth to gag her.

"Phew!" Agape exclaims as she lower Gregory back to the ground and frees him from one of her threads. "That was close. I had just managed to land a thread on you as she pulled you down." Gregory nods.

"Thank you. I don't know where I'd be right now if you hadn't stopped her." He says, his clothes still dripping. Agape arches a teasing brow at him.

"Well, it is kind of obvious where you'd be, isn't it?" she says, pointing to the bond Monster Girl. Now able to see her completely, Gregory recognizes her to be a bunyip. They are similar to lamia, save for their bodies being covered in soft, white fur. Like lamia, they are cunning and also tend to pounce on unsuspecting men before whisking him off to their lair. The bunyip before them now is helplessly struggling against her restraints, her eyes darting back and forth between Agape and Gregory.

"I think we should question her; she may know of the ocelomeh." Gregory says.

"Agreed," Agape chimes as she raises a hand towards the bunyip. She spreads her fingers and whispers an incantation before a magic circle appears around the bunyip. With a muffled cry, the bunyip is hoisted into the air, suspended by magic as she is forced to face Agape and Gregory. Agape then reaches forward to remove the bunyip's gag. "Now then," Agape begins. "What is your name?"

The bunyip's eyes are pleading, her cheeks turning a darker shade of purple. "P-please, I d-didn't know h-he was your mate. I'll l-leave you alone-"

"Ah ah ah," Agape interrupts. "We'll have none of that. You are going to answer our questions and then we will let you go. Simple as that. Now, what is your name?" The bunyip looks back and forth between Gregory and Agape again, her eyes starting to tear up out of fear.

"T-tera…I'm Tera," the Bunyip squeaks.

"Good," Agape states. "Now, do you know anything about the tribe of ocelomeh in the valley?"

"Y-yes," the bunyip stutters. "They t-took over the valley a few m-months ago. Drove a lot of M-mamono out to make room. They weren't so bad after that. B-but then they g-got worse suddenly. S-started attacking all men that came near the valley. Then t-they s-started looking o-outside the valley. It's like they c-couldn't get enough m-men for themselves."

"Do you know exactly where their camp is?" It is Gregory who asks this time. The bunyip opens her mouth to answer but stops as it seems the words catch in her throat. She opens and closes her mouth several times, unable to speak.

"Tera," the bunyip's head looks back at the sound of Agape's voice. "My friend asked you a question. Answer it, please." There was no missing the silent threat in Agape's words and the bunyip quickly turns back to Gregory.

"Their camp is at the center of the valley, along the river. They've made a bunch of treehouses. You won't miss them if you follow it." The bunyip says, her fear making her speak clearly. Gregory and Agape nod in unison as she waves a hand to dispel the circle beneath Tera. The bunyip floats back to the ground where Agape cuts her free with one of her sharp-ended fingers.

"You are free to go," Agape says, stepping away from Tera.

"Um," Agape turns to look at her again. "W-would you…I mean…could I…" her amber eyes keep jolting towards Gregory and then back towards the ground. Despite her difficulty, both Agape and Gregory understand her desire. Agape turns to leave as Gregory steps forward.

"I'll sate you, but you have to leave after that." Gregory says and the bunyip nods, her face still a deep shade of purple. Gregory leads her to his tent, wishing he had some magical way to transport a large instead of a single cot. It would come in handy in times like this. He removes his gambeson and tosses it on his cot, leaving his whole upper body exposed. Tera's eyes go wide as she realizes just how large Gregory is. She knew he was big when she saw him, but seeing is expanse of shoulders and chest, as well as the length of his abdomen, only make it that much more real for her. She feels her heart sink when she notices the large bulge in his trousers, though.

Gregory watches as she removes the bird mask from around her neck and places it on his cot as well. Then, as if on command, the fur covering her chest and hips begins to recede till only the tuffs of fur on her elbows remain. Her torso is the same light purple as her face, a slender frame sporting a pair of large breasts with dark nipples. His eyes, however, are fixed on the soft, puffy netherlips that seem to be begging for his attention. Gregory goes to her without speaking, going to his knees. Tera's eyes go wide as he places his hands on her hips to draw her forward, her lower body raising her high to make it easy for him. She gasps as his tongue separates her folds and glides against her swollen clitoris. Her hands go to his head, pushing his tongue deeper into her center as he continues to stroke her sex with his tongue.

He moans at the sweet taste of the bunyip, enjoying her moaning as he devours her. He can tell she is trying not to wrap him in her tail, it is the trademark position of lamia like species, but she is wanting to enjoy his play. Her first orgasm is powerful, and he is sure her scream of ecstasy is heard by anyone within a mile of his tent. He feels the bunyip sway in euphoria as he leaves a trail of kisses up her abdomen. He captures one of her nipples in his lips, Tera gasping from the sudden affection and she puts her arms around his shoulders to steady herself. Gregory goes back and forth between her breasts before moving on to her neck.

"What is your name?" her question is a harsh whisper, her tone sounding desperate.

"Gregory," he whispers into her ear as he goes back to kissing her throat, his beard tickling her chest. When he finally kisses her, it is hot and needy, her tongue exploring the inside of his mouth hungrily. Taking initiative, Tera brings her body around to wrap around Gregory's legs, allowing him to sit as her muscular tail supports his weight. Her boldness is sedated as she finally frees his member.

"Dear gods," she breathes, taking his length into her hands, her eyes wide as she traces it with her fingers. Gregory hisses at the sensation, his erection twitching her soft hands. Her face is completely purple now, her eyes uncertain. Gregory gives her expression little attention as he takes her by the hips and leads her onto his tip. She gasps and moans as she slowly lowers herself onto his member. Gregory grits his teeth as her soft folds envelope his shaft, but she only takes half of his full length.

"Here," he says, placing his hands firmly on her hips. "Let me help." Gregory drivers her down to take him completely, her eyes and mouth opening wide as he impales her. From there, he takes no mercy as he bucks his hips with enough force to slide her up to his tip before slamming her back down again.

"P-pwEEse! Slew! S-slow-AH!" she stammers as she bounces along his rod. If she were a normal woman, he would comply, but as a Monster Girl her body is made to handle almost any cock, no matter how large. If Gregory is lucky, she will ask for a second ride, but he will not get his hopes up. After several minutes of moan filled bouncing, Gregory thrusts his hips hard, releasing his seed into her. Tera has already had two more orgasms while riding him, her eyes rolling backwards as warmth courses through her body. She leans forward, resting her head on his shoulder as her body absorbs his Spirit Energy. "You…aren't…human…" she breathes.

Gregory tries not to sound disappointed by her words; it is not the first time he has heard something like it. Gregory lets her rest for a moment, stroking her back as she catches her breath. When she finally recovers, she leans backwards with one hand covering her netherlips, her face still blushing. "Would you mind…doing that again?" Gregory smiles as he gets to go another round with the bunyip.

One hour later…

Gregory sighs as he leaves the tent, the bunyip having already left a few minutes before him. Agape is sitting by a small campfire between his tent and her carriage, a white cat, Emeline, curled in her lap while she strokes her. The arachne looks up as he approaches, smirking.

"Satisfied?" she asks as Gregory takes a seat on the other side of the fire.

"More or less," Gregory says, staring into the fire.

"What does that mean?" Gregory looks up at her question, Agape's face is twisted in confusion. "You two were at it for an hour and a half straight. How could you not be satisfied?" He sighs again.

"I have particular needs that most women, human or otherwise, have issues satisfying." Gregory says awkwardly. Agape's brows flatten questioningly.

"So, women don't satisfy you?" Gregory practically jumps to correct her.

"That is not what I said! It's just…" he sighs again. "Most women can't keep up with me. If you haven't noticed, I'm a bit bigger and stronger than most men. I also have more stamina. Human women don't stand a chance and most Monster Girls don't last much more than them." Agape makes a silent "oh" at his explanation.

"That does make more sense. Though, I'm not surprised. I knew you were different the moment I met you. Honestly it wouldn't surprise me if you were part giant." She says, scratching Emeline behind the ears, the cat purring loudly in response. Gregory laughs at her theory. He has never heard of a living person with giants' blood, but there have been many stories of heroes with incredible strength that were supposedly decedent of the long extinct race. Of course, he does not remember his parents so there is no hope for an answer there, either.

"It would make more sense," Gregory says. He decides to reverse the conversation. "So, how does an arachne mage fall in love with a mayor's son?" Agape sighs at his question.

"It's a very boring story, honestly."

"Not much else to do," Gregory pushes. She sighs again but relents.

"We met when I first came to Dawnspur," Agape starts. "There weren't any mages in town at the time, which made business for me very easy. Of course, the mayor sought me out when the need arose and on one occasion, I met his son. It was love at first sight; I think. He would make excuses to come and see me during the day and sneak out during the night. His father wouldn't have cared if it were just for fun. You know, a fling. But when he told his father he wanted to marry me; all bets were off. He doesn't want his human line to die out, his son is his only heir."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Gregory says. "Once this is over, though, the mayor has agreed to retract that decision." Agape nods sullenly, staring down at the fire.

"Yes. It will be wonderful to be with him again. These last six months have been torture." Gregory's mouth drops at her confession.

"Six months?!" he repeats. "How have you not gone rabid?" Most Monster Girl's cannot go more than a month without seeking Spirit Energy, less they become rogue and eventually rabid. Some species are able to go longer, but those species are few and far between. Agape blushes lightly as she continues to stroke her familiar.

"Well," she starts. "Emeline acts as my liaison." Gregory's eyes go wide in realization. He remembers reading that familiars could transfer Spirit Energy to their masters, being that they are not true Monster Girls but constructs of Demonic Energy. Gregory had to give the mayor's son credit, having a voluptuous arachne and a petite feline familiar to himself. Lucky bastard.

"Well, it won't be much longer till you and him are back together," Gregory says, standing up. "Should we post a night watch?"

"No need. My webs will catch any intruders and Emeline has no need to sleep." Agape explains and Gregory nods.

"Very well." He says before returning to his tent.